Crushing for Conservation

As stewards of 87 acres of an exceptional natural landscape, The Ranch at Laguna Beach takes another step in its commitment to conservation and sustainability

By Ashley Probst

The Ranch at Laguna Beach is the first hotel in North America to acquire a GLSand glass bottle crusher, which is now in operation, through a new partnership with the manufacturer. The machine compresses entire glass bottles to produce a sand-like substance, and was designed to help reduce waste and cost, as well as encourage sustainability specifically in the food, hospitality and leisure industries. The sand-like product can be used for various projects throughout the resort such as pavement repairs and pool filtration; it can even be used in sand traps on the property’s golf course.

The addition of the bottle crusher is an expansion upon The Ranch’s various other sustainability efforts such as using reclaimed water to irrigate the golf course and landscaping at the resort, planting an organic garden on site and partnering with organizations such as Chefs to End Hunger; Clean the World, which recycles hotel soap; and the Ocean Institute’s youth camp outreach program. (ranchlb.com)